What You Can Do
Be a Santa to a senior
by Lynette Majer

Sadly, seniors are some of the most overlooked in our society, even though many have made important contributions to our communities. The Golden Years are often wrought with declining health, dwindling resources and accompanying stress and anxiety. While some seniors are fortunate enough to have family for care and companionship, many live lonely and isolated lives, and they are frequently forgotten during the holidays when many events are geared toward children.

You can help brighten this holiday season for some by participating in the Be a Santa to a Senior program. Home Instead Senior Care and the Curry Senior Center have partnered with Walgreens and Citibank to provide holiday gifts for seniors who might otherwise be forgotten. Last year, more than 600 gifts were delivered to local seniors. Nonprofits and senior care agencies have identified needy seniors and supplied their names and gift requests to Home Instead Senior Care. These gift requests are generally simple and relatively inexpensive and include items such as food (groceries, snacks, or candy), clothing (slippers, gloves or hats), books, magazines, crossword puzzles, or blankets.
The seniors’ names and gift requests have been put on ornaments that adorn trees and wreaths in these three locations in the City:

• Walgreens, 1301 Franklin
Avenue (at Post)
• Citibank, 350 Rhode Island
Street (near 17th)
• Citibank, 1399 Post Street
(at Gough)

There are three ways to help, and all are easy. First, visit one of the above locations, choose an ornament, buy the item(s), and then return them and the ornament to the location unwrapped. All of us can surely add a small item to our gift list, and some of the requested items are probably even available at Walgreens. Second, help wrap the hundreds of the presents with Home Instead Senior Care and other senior care and nonprofit staff at a citywide gift-wrapping day on Wednesday, December 10 from 1:30-4:30 at San Francisco Towers, 1661 Pine Street (near California). Third, help distribute the gifts on Monday, December 15.

The economy has been particularly devastating to seniors this year, and many are cutting back on such needed services as health care, so taking a few minutes and buy, wrap, or deliver a needed gift is sure to bring a smile to a lonely elder.

For additional information on gift wrapping and delivery, contact Dana Turner at 415-441-6490.

E-mail: lynette@northsidesf.com